The Great R'Idaho Trail #1

Stage 6: Avery to Gold Creek Lodge

Let’s get your GRIT on and see what the adventure serves up on our last full day stage.  We start out from Avery jetting over to the Nelson Ridge trail to climb 3200ft elevation to the top of Shefoot Mountain and enjoy the sunrise view from the cliff (you did start early…right?). You will want to pull out your camera for this massive cliff view.  We then drop down quickly on Big Dick trail. Enjoy passing thru the old train tunnels and make use of your headlights at the bottom. The road to Wallace also has a satisfying optional special test loop up Wonderful Peak trail to Stevens Peak.

Pause in Wallace to see the oddities and refresh your supplies. Then cruise up the route to pass thru the historic mining town of Burke before arriving back at the Montana state line. This section of the state line trail starts out woodsy, but suddenly you are riding across a rock slide with the jagged rocks forming the trail, clacking under your tires. We recommend a pause right after you arrive at the rock slide trail at the waypoint in teh route that shows you where you can park your bike and hike up over the top down another massive cliff over Pear Lake. Then proceed across the jagged rocks, testing your best trials riding skills not to dab. You end on a short road section before coming to the next special test spur that goes to the top of Granite Peak that ends with a rock slide trail to a 360 degree view of the world and a thoughtful motorcycle rider memorial.  It is slightly advanced, but very doable if you are careful and well worth it.

Right after the Granite Peak spur, you have a short two track run before more skinny woods single track and road on your way to Sunset Peak Lookout. When you get there, there is a steep ~3ft ledge to climb just west of the lookout to get past the footings to find the short technical trail heading north that ends with several miles of ATV trail. From here we cruise some fast dirt and paved roads past the remote outpost town of Murray and then up again to the Montana state line at Thompson Pass. This section of the state line trail is a mixture of woodsy riding and those dang rock slide trails that make this stage so unique. But if you get through, it is an easy road ride with a short ATV shortcut to make your way to the classic Independence Creek National Recreation Trail.

Independence Creek Trail shouldn’t be missed. You will follow a broad, scenic canyon, crossing the creek several times and end with a climb up to Weber Saddle.  After a few miles of dirt forest road you have the option to drop down the steep switch backs of Kick Bush trail, or continue on the road to land at the perfect place to rest and snack on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille in the remote vacation community of Lakeview.  There is a dirt bike oriented backwoods resort here called Gold Creek Lodge with gas, lodging and food. The new ownership has done an amazing job of remodeling the facilities (locals may remember this place being called “The Happy Hermit”) and offering a truly unique destination for ORV riders. Lake Pend Oreille is home to the Navy Submarine training base because the lake is 1150 feet deep and is also the largest lake in northern Idaho.

 See Stage 7 Details Here.